Ribosomes are organelles composed of RNA molecules and proteins that carry out the process of protein synthesis. They can be found in cells.
In eukaryotic cells, they can be found attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum or floating in the cytoplasm. While in bacteria, all ribosomes are free floating.
This is because eukaryotic cells have a more complex structure and have organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum, which provides a surface for ribosomes to attach to. Bacteria, on the other hand, do not have organelles like the endoplasmic reticulum and therefore all their ribosomes are free floating in the cytoplasm.
1. Ribosomes are organelles composed of RNA molecules and proteins.
2. They carry out the process of protein synthesis.
3. In eukaryotic cells, ribosomes can be found attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum or floating in the cytoplasm.
4. In bacteria, all ribosomes are free floating.
To understand the distribution of ribosomes in different types of cells, it is necessary to know the characteristics of eukaryotic and bacterial cells.
In eukaryotic cells, which include those of plants, animals, and fungi, ribosomes can be found in two main locations: attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or floating freely in the cytoplasm.
1. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER): The rough ER is a network of membranes found throughout the eukaryotic cell. It is called "rough" because it is studded with ribosomes on its surface. These ribosomes are attached to the ER membranes and are actively involved in protein synthesis. The ribosomes on the rough ER are responsible for producing proteins that are either destined to be inserted into the ER itself or exported out of the cell.
2. Cytoplasm: In addition to the ribosomes attached to the rough ER, eukaryotic cells also possess ribosomes that are freely floating in the cytoplasm. These ribosomes are not associated with any membrane-bound structure and are responsible for synthesizing proteins that will function within the cytoplasm itself.
Understanding the distribution of ribosomes in bacterial cells is a bit different. Bacteria are prokaryotic cells, and unlike eukaryotic cells, they lack membrane-bound organelles such as the rough ER. In bacteria, ribosomes are found solely floating freely within the cytoplasm. These free-floating ribosomes in bacteria carry out protein synthesis, just like the ribosomes in eukaryotic cells.
So, in summary:
- Eukaryotic cells have ribosomes attached to the rough ER and floating in the cytoplasm.
- Bacterial cells have all their ribosomes floating freely in the cytoplasm.